But Tottenham old boys Gus Poyet and Jermain Defoe did not enjoy their homecoming after all, thanks to Christian Eriksen.

The Dane was devilish throughout and his 88th-minute goal was just reward for his virtuouso performance.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said: “It was nervy when it was 1-1 but Christian is a big-game player.

“I always thought we were in control. Now we look forward to the semi-final of the Capital One Cup.”

Eriksen’s heroics gave Spurs the win they slogged so hard to achieve – but it left more questions than answers.

Spurs rolled out the red carpet for former hero Defoe – then whipped it from under his feet.

WINNER: Eriksen scored for first time since 26 December to earn Spurs the points [GETTY]

“It was nervy when it was 1-1 but Christian is a big-game player. always thought we were in control”

Mauricio Pochettino

They took the lead in under three minutes and it looked as if they were going to turn his homecoming into a nightmare.

Sunderland parked the bus, relying on the quick breakaway and also the skills of keeper Costel Pantilimon.

It almost paid off but Adam Johnson wasted a late chance by blasting straight at Hugo Lloris.

Defoe, signed on a £70,000-a-week, three-year deal from Canadian club Toronto in midweek, is now virtually Sunderland’s last throw of the dice.

If he fails do what he does best then Poyet, another Spurs hero, who continually danced like a demented soul on the touchline, is in for a winter more fierce than the one Defoe left behind.

Sunderland have ploughed a lot of money into the move and Defoe can at least say he had a say in their equaliser.

LEVELLER: Defoe won the free-kick for Larsson's equaliser [GETTY]

He won the free-kick from which Sebastian Larsson equalised with a screamer – but Pochettino’s men always seemed to have the upper hand during the match.

Spurs have a brittle chin at home – losing four times – but the Black Cats failed to hit their glass jaw until a wonder free-kick from Larsson.

Tottenham took the lead after just two minutes through Vertonghen.Eriksen swung over a free-kick that was partially cleared and Vertonghen lumped it forward, the ball deflecting off Santiago Vergini and into the net.

The tannoy bloke welcomed back Defoe and he was given a decent cheer.

Rightfully so. He never let the club down.

Vertonghen was booked after fouling Defoe and Larsson whipped in a 25-yard free-kick that looked in the moment it left his boot.

GOAL: Jan Vertonghen's deflected shot gave Spurs an early lead [GETTY]

Spurs looked to have added another in added time when Vertonghen scored from his own half when Sunderland keeper Pantilimon had gone upfield for a corner.

A linesman mysteriously ruled it offside, leaving Pochettino to scratch his head in disablief.

He said: “I think the officials became confused with the rules. Jan was in his own half and acted like a striker. He is disappointed.

“I did not talk to the referee afterwards because the game is finished. We can’t turn the game back. We are all human and make mistakes.”

Gutted Sunderland boss Poyet said: “It was heartbreaking when they got their late goal.

“We had a new formation, new way of playing and we were getting things right.

“I was pleased with Jermain. He played longer than I expected. He will do well.”